Induction sealer system with temperature sensor

ABSTRACT

An induction foil cap sealer of the present invention includes a cap foil sealer head installed along a conveyor. A controller is operatively connected to the cap sealer head. An infrared detector is adapted to obtain temperature data from a work piece on the conveyor. An electronic memory storage device is capable of storing electronic data, and is operatively connected to the controller. A comparator is in communication with the controller, the electronic memory and the infrared detector. The comparator compares the temperature data with pre-stored electronic data in the electronic memory storage and sends a signal to the controller based on the comparison.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/859,830, filed Jun. 2, 2004, which claims benefit of and priorityto U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/572,027, filed May 17,2004, in the name of Kenneth J. Herzog, and entitled A BAR GRAPHDISPLAY, AN IR THERMOMETER, AND A SPEED SENSOR WHICH CAN BE USEDINDIVIDUALLY OR IN COMBINATION WITH AN INDUCTION SEALER, the contents ofeach of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 10/860,753filed concurrently with the present application in the name of KennethJ. Herzog, and entitled CAP SEALER WITH GRADUATED POWER DISPLAY whichissued on Sep. 4, 2007 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,265,325, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference.

This application is also related to U.S. application Ser. No. 10/860,756filed concurrently with the present application in the name of KennethJ. Herzog, and entitled CONVEYOR SPEED MONITOR, the disclosure of whichis hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to induction foil cap sealers and moreparticularly to an induction foil cap sealer equipped with a device fordetermining the seal quality.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Induction foil cap sealers are well known. Referring to FIG. 1, a priorart induction foil cap sealer includes induction head 10 which includesa plurality of field coils 12. In operation, field coils 12 receive anelectrical current which causes the development of magnetic fields thatproject away from field coils 12. The projected magnetic fields areschematically shown as circular lines surrounding field coils 12 forillustration purposes only. The magnetic fields projecting from fieldcoils 12 are used for sealing a cap onto an opening of a bottle in thefollowing manner.

Cap 14 may be mechanically coupled to the opening of bottle 16 andplaced under induction head 10. Due to the mechanical coupling betweencap 14 and bottle 16, metallic foil 18, which is received in cap 14, ispressed between the end of cap 14 and the sealing edge of the opening ofbottle 16. Included inside cap 14 is polymer sealing film 17 which isinterposed between metallic foil 18 and the opening of bottle 16.Optionally, wax layer 20 and pulp board liner 22 are also included incap 14 and sandwiched between metallic foil 18 and the closed end of cap14.

To effect the seal, magnetic fields that project from field coils 12permeate cap 14 and cause foil 18 to heat up. The heat so generatedcauses polymer sealing film 17 to melt and thus seal metallic foil 18 tothe opening of bottle 16. As a result, a hermetic seal between metallicfoil 18 and bottle 16 is obtained which can survive the removal of cap14. If optional wax layer 20 is used, the generated heat melts wax layer20 further enhancing the hermetic effect.

Induction head 10 may assume any number of shapes depending on the typeof cap used. FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate three examples of induction heads.

Assuring the quality of the hermetic seal is commercially important. Forexample, when the content of a container is medicine, it is importantfor the consumer to know that the container has been sealed sinceleaving the manufacturer's plant. Otherwise, a consumer may suspecttampering and return the product, which results in the increase in theoverall cost to the manufacturer. In addition, a hermetic seal may berequired to keep the content of a container unexposed to environmentalfactors such as moisture in order to avoid damage to the content. Ineither case, assessing the quality of the seal before the containerleaves the manufacturer is of great interest.

The quality of a seal obtained through induction sealing may be assessedmanually. That is, each work piece (e.g. a container such as a bottle)can be inspected visually by a person. Such a process, however, is laborintensive and thus costly. Furthermore, such a process would require theremoval of the cap to inspect visually the state of the seal afterinduction heating. The removal of the cap is also undesirable as itwould require reassembly which also demands labor.

It would be desirable to have a method and a system for assessing thequality of the seal automatically in order to improve cost-efficiency,and to assure the quality of the seal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention after subjecting a workpiece toinduction heating, a temperature reading is conducted, and based on thereading it is determined whether a proper seal has been obtained.Specifically, a temperature sensor is installed downstream (in aposition after induction heating) to measure the temperature of theworkpiece, and the temperature so obtained is compared to a lowthreshold temperature value and/or a high threshold temperature value todetermine whether a proper seal has been obtained.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an infrared sensor maybe used as the temperature sensor. The advantage of using an infraredsensor is that no contact with the workpiece is necessary to obtain itstemperature. Thus, the temperature of the workpiece can be obtainedremotely.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the low thresholdtemperature value and the high threshold temperature value are stored inrespective electronic memory storage locations, and the temperatureinformation acquired from a workpiece is stored in a temporaryelectronic memory location. Optionally, the acquired temperature may bedisplayed by a general purpose display such as an LCD monitor.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each timetemperature information is acquired from a workpiece a comparatorcompares the acquired temperature to the low threshold temperature valueand the high threshold temperature value. If the acquired temperature isbelow the low threshold temperature value it is determined that a properseal has not been obtained and a fault signal is generated. If theacquired temperature is above the high threshold temperature value it isdetermined that excessive damage (e.g. burning) has been sustained bythe work piece due to overheating and a fault signal is generated.

The generation of a fault signal can be used to activate a peripheraldevice. For example, a rejecter, which may be a pneumatic device, may beactuated to remove the work piece. Alternatively or in addition to therejecter, a warning signal generator which may be an audio signalgenerator such as an alarm or an optical signal generator such as astrobe light may be activated to indicate the occurrence of fault.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the fault signals are storedin an electronic memory storage location for future retrieval.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a counter receives thefault signals and upon receipt of a predetermined number of consecutivefault signals, generates a fault output signal. The fault output signalmay result in a temporary shut down accompanied by a warning signal froma warning signal generator in order to apprize the operator of thepossibility of a continuing error in the sealing operation.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the low thresholdtemperature value and the high threshold temperature value are obtainedexperimentally, and entered into respective electronic memory locationby a user interface. The user interface may be a conventional keyboard.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an induction foilcap sealer can retain a plurality low threshold temperature and highthreshold temperature values for future retrieval.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description of the invention which refers tothe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates sealing by induction heating accordingto prior art.

FIGS. 2A-2C schematically show a number of sealing head configurationsaccording to the prior art.

FIG. 3A shows a top plan view of an induction sealing system accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 3B shows a front plan view of an induction sealing system alongline 3B-3B in FIG. 3A viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 3C shows a side plan view of an induction sealing system along line3C-3C in FIG. 3B viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4A schematically illustrates the positioning of a photo eye and atemperature sensor in an induction sealing system according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 4B schematically illustrates a top plan view of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C schematically illustrates a front plan view of the arrangementillustrated by FIG. 4A (excluding the bottle).

FIG. 4D schematically shows a side plan view of a mounting assembly formounting a temperature sensor in an induction sealing system accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 4E schematically shows a top plan view of a mounting assembly formounting a photo eye in an induction sealing system according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 4F schematically shows a side plan view of the mounting assemblyshown in FIG. 4E.

FIG. 4G schematically shows a side plan view of a mounting stand forreceiving the mounting assembly for the temperature sensor and themounting assembly for the photo eye.

FIG. 5 illustrates aspects of a system according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a user interface as used in an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a ladder logic illustrating a method and a systemthat includes a method according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3C, an induction foil cap sealer system accordingto an embodiment of the present invention includes induction cap sealerunit 30, which includes an induction head 10, which is not shown inFIGS. 3A-3C, but may be seen in FIGS. 1, and 2A-2C, and temperaturesensor 32. A workpiece (e.g. a container such as bottle 16) istransported on conveyor belt 35 under induction head 10 to be subjectedto induction heating in a conventional manner. Temperature sensor 32 isinstalled downstream near conveyor belt 35 to sense the temperature of aworkpiece that has been heated under induction head 10.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, temperature sensor32 may be an infrared sensor so that the temperature of the workpiececan be determined remotely; i.e., without making contact with theworkpiece. A suitable infrared sensor can report the temperature inmilliamps, or volts (DC).

Further, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention photo eye33 may be installed downstream from temperature sensor 32 to detect thepresence of a workpiece on conveyor belt 35 below temperature sensor 32.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4C, temperature sensor 32 is preferablymounted to collect thermal data from above a workpiece. Specifically, asshown in FIG. 4A, temperature sensor 32 may be mounted so that it maycollect thermal data from cap 14 of bottle 16. Specifically, temperaturesensor 32 is preferably mounted near conveyor belt 35 with a mountassembly which includes movable support 37, rod 39, and base 41. Base 41is preferably adapted to be connected to a frame portion that supportsconveyor belt 35. Temperature sensor 32 may be secured to rod 39 bymovable support 37. Movable support 37 can be moved up or down along rod39 in order to adjust the height of temperature sensor 32.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, movable support 37includes offset bracket 43, and temperature sensor mounting bracket 45.Offset bracket 43 includes clamp 47. Clamp 47 includes mounting screw 49and grip portion 49B. Mounting screw 49 includes knob 49A and a free end49C which is intended to abut against rod 39. Grip portion 49B includeslips 47A which are disposed opposite to mounting screw 49. Thetightening of mounting screw 49 results in the pressing of the free endof screw 49 against rod 39 which in turn causes lips 47A to pressagainst rod 39, thereby securing clamp 47 to rod 39. Loosening ofmounting screw 49 will allow offset bracket 43 to be moved up and downrod 39 so that the height of temperature sensor 32 above conveyor belt35 can be adjusted.

Temperature sensor mounting bracket 45 is movably mounted on offsetbracket 43. Specifically, temperature sensor mounting bracket 45 ismounted on offset bracket such that it may be moved in the directiontransverse to conveyor belt 35 and rod 39, and transverse to rod 39 andparallel to conveyor belt 35 so that temperature sensor 32 may beproperly positioned.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 4D, loosening of mounting screw 63 willallow temperature sensor bracket 45 to slide along slot 65 in offsetbracket 43, and allow temperature sensor bracket 45 to be movedtransverse to conveyor belt 35 because of slot 67 in temperature sensorbracket 45. It should be noted that in the preferred embodiment,mounting screw 63 extends through slot 65 and slot 67 and receives alocking nut 69 at the end thereof. The cooperation of mounting screw 63and locking nut 69 secures temperature sensor bracket 45 in place.

In the preferred embodiment each of rod 39, offset bracket 43, andtemperature sensor bracket 45 includes a scale 53 in order to allow forthe proper positioning of temperature sensor 32.

Referring to FIG. 4E, preferably, photo eye 33 is also movably mountedon rod 39 by a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly for mountingphoto eye 33 includes clamping bracket 55 which can be mounted on rod 39in the same manner as mounting bracket 47. That is, when mounting screw49 is tightened lips 55A are pressed against rod 39 thereby securingclamping bracket 55 to rod 39. Photo eye 33 is supported on photo eyebracket 57 which is movably mounted on horizontal bracket 59. Horizontalbracket 59 is connected to mounting bracket 55.

Referring to FIG. 4F, by loosening mounting screws 61, photo eye bracket57 can be moved, and by tightening mounting screws 61 photo eye bracket57 can be secured. Thus, the position of photo eye 33 can be adjusted.

To install temperature sensor 32 and photo eye 33, a suitable locationis selected downstream from induction sealer unit 30 and the mountingassembly is mounted using, for example, screws 71 as shown in FIG. 4G.In the preferred embodiment, temperature sensor 32 is mounted 10 to 15feet from induction sealer unit 30 to allow adequate time for the heatto reach the top of cap 14 of bottle 16. Next the height of temperaturesensor 32 and the height of photo eye 33 are set along rod 39. Theheight of temperature sensor 32 is preferably set to be about 1″ abovecap 14 of a bottle 16, and the height of photo eye 33 is set so that itsees cap 14. Preferably, photo eye 33 is positioned ½″ from the side ofcap 14 of a bottle 16. It is preferred that temperature sensor 32 andphoto eye 33 be positioned such that when photo eye 33 sees cap 14 of abottle 16, temperature sensor 32 is over the center of cap 14 in thatthe temperature at the center of cap 14 is considered to provide themost reliable reading.

It should be noted that the position of photo eye 33 and temperaturesensor 32 may depend on production requirements and preferences. In somecases, for example, it may be convenient to have photo eye 33 positionedto see bottle 16 (i.e. the container) rather than its cap 14.

The detection of a workpiece by photo eye 33 serves as an electronictrigger for the reading of the temperature from a workpiece.Specifically, in the preferred embodiment, temperature sensor 32 isalways on and feeds its temperature readings to cap foil sealer 30 via acommunication wire 32A. When photo eye 33 detects a workpiece, cap foilsealer 30 receives a signal from photo eye 33 via communication wire 33Aand determines whether a good seal has been obtained based on thetemperature reading of temperature sensor 32.

To assess whether a proper seal has been obtained, cap foil sealer 30determines whether the temperature of a workpiece is within anacceptable range. If so, the workpiece is accepted. If not, a faultsignal is generated. The generation of a fault signal can activaterejecter 42, which may be a pneumatic arm, so that a workpiece, whichhas been determined to have an improper seal, can be pushed off conveyorbelt 35 onto rejecter table 42A. Alternatively, or in addition torejecter 42, generation of a fault signal can activate warning signalgenerator 44, which may be an audio signal generator (e.g. alarm) for anoptical signal generator (e.g. strobe light), or a combination of thetwo.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the temperatureobtained from a workpiece by temperature sensor 32 is compared to apredetermined threshold temperature value in order to determine whetherthe workpiece has been properly sealed. Thus, for example, thetemperature obtained by temperature sensor 32 is compared to apredetermined low temperature limit and/or high temperature limit inorder to assess whether a proper seal has been obtained.

Referring now to FIG. 5, cap foil sealer 30 according to the presentinvention includes electronic memory storage 34, comparator 36,controller 38, and user interface 40. Cap foil sealer 30 is incommunication with temperature sensor 32. Optionally, cap foil sealer 30may be in communication with peripheral devices such as mechanicalrejecter 42, warning signal generator 44, or information display device46 (FIG. 6).

According to the present invention, electronic memory storage 34 iscapable of storing electronic data. According to an aspect of thepresent invention, the electronic data stored in electronic memorystorage 34 may be electronic data corresponding to either one or both ofa high threshold temperature value or a low threshold temperature value.A high threshold temperature value is indicative of overheating, while alow threshold temperature value is indicative of under heating. When thedetected temperature is either below the low threshold temperature orabove the high threshold temperature, there is improper sealing. For thepurpose of entering electronic data into electronic memory storage 34,user interface 40 is in communication with electronic memory storage 34.A suitable user interface 40 may include a keyboard. An example of akeyboard suitable for a user interface is shown in FIG. 6. In thepreferred embodiment of the present invention the up/down keys 40A canbe used to set the values that are entered into electronic memorystorage 34. User interface 40 may also include display device 46, whichis capable of displaying the temperature of a workpiece as read bytemperature sensor 32. Display device 46 may be an LCD.

Electronic data in electric memory storage 34 can be transferred tocomparator 36. Furthermore, the information obtained by temperaturesensor 32 is also transferable to comparator 36. Comparator 36 comparesthe information obtained by temperature sensor 32 to the electronic dataretrieved from electronic memory storage 34 to determine whether a faultcondition has occurred. If comparator 36 determines that a faultcondition has occurred it sends a fault signal to controller 38.Controller 38 in turn sends a signal necessary to operate any one or allof peripheral devices. For example, controller 38 may generate signalsfor operating any one of or all of rejecter 42, warning signal generator44, or information display device 46 by any of the known methods.

Referring now to FIG. 7, once temperature sensor detects a temperatureof a workpiece, the temperature information is transferred to atemporary electronic storage facility 47. Temporary electronic storagefacility 47 may be any electronic memory device known to a personskilled in the art.

Once photo eye 33 sends an electronic signal indicating the presence ofa workpiece (e.g. a bottle that has been subjected to inductionheating), photo eye coil 48A receives a signal (e.g., a current) whichactivates relay 48B associated with photo eye 33. As a result, lowthreshold temperature comparator 36A obtains the last temperatureinformation stored in temporary electronic storage facility 47 and thelow threshold temperature value from low threshold temperature storagefacility 34A. Low threshold temperature storage facility 34A may bestored in an electronic storage facility. The electronic storagefacility may be any electronic memory storage device known in the art.If, upon comparison, the temperature sensed by temperature sensor 32 isless than the low threshold temperature value, a fault signal isgenerated. For example, a current is supplied to activate lowtemperature fault coil 50A which closes low temperature relay 50B. Uponclosing of low temperature fault relay 50B, a signal is sent to bitshift register 52. Bit shift register 52 receives signals every time afault signal is generated.

Similarly, after photo eye 33 sends an electronic signal indicating thepassing of a workpiece, and relay 48 is closed, high thresholdtemperature comparator 36B obtains the high threshold temperature valuestored in electronic storage facility 34B (which may be any electronicstorage facility known by a skilled person in the art), and compares thesame to the sensed temperature. If, upon comparison, it is determinedthat the sensed temperature is higher than the high thresholdtemperature, a fault signal is generated. For example, a current issupplied to high temperature fault coil 51A which results in the closingof high temperature fault relay 51B. Upon closing of high temperaturefault relay 51B, a signal is sent to bit shift register 52.

According to one aspect of the present invention when a predeterminednumber of consecutive faults have been registered with bit shiftregister 52, a fault reject signal is generated. Thus, for example, acurrent is sent to fault reject coil 54 which activates reject relay 56.

The activation of reject relay can result in the activation of one ormore of peripheral devices by controller 38 to indicate to the operatorthat a fault has occurred. Optionally, activation of reject relay 56 canresult in the shut down of the production line or conveyor.

The high threshold temperature value and the low threshold temperaturevalue are preferably supplied to electronic memory storage 34 throughmanual entry if a keyboard is used as user interface 40. It should benoted that other methods for setting the low threshold temperature andthe high threshold temperature can also be used without deviating fromthe present invention. For example, an analog device such as amechanical dial may be used to set the high threshold temperature valueand the low threshold temperature value.

Preferably, the total number of faults detected by the system is storedin electronic memory storage 36 or some other electronic memory storagelocation for further retrieval.

Due in part to the fact that different containers are made fromdifferent materials, the high threshold temperature value and the lowthreshold temperature value can vary from container to container.Therefore, the values for high threshold temperature and the lowthreshold temperature must be obtained experimentally. Thus, in apreferred embodiment, the following calibration procedure may be carriedout to determine the range of temperatures outside of which a good sealis not obtained.

To determine the proper temperature range, for example, first a properseal temperature is determined according to the following procedure:

1. Sealing head 10 is centered with conveyor belt 35 and bottles 16 arerun under sealing head 10 such that caps 14 of bottles 16 are positionednear or at the center of sealing head 10.

2. Height of sealing head 10 is set.

3. Conveyor line speed is set. Initially, conveyor speed is set at theslowest possible speed to keep up with production (a slow speedmaximizes sealing time).

4. It is ensured that caps 14 of bottles 16 (seal point on bottle) arefree of burrs, product, seams, etc.

5. It is ensured that caps 14 of bottles 16 are properly tightened.

6. The power is set at an initial value (e.g. 35%) and a single bottleis subjected to induction heating, and is examined to determine whetherit has been sealed. If partially sealed, a new bottle 16 is subjected toinduction heating with increased power. If not, the test is conductedagain with a 10% power increase. The test is repeated with increasingpower until a proper seal is obtained. If after a test the inside of cap14 of bottle 16 that is being tested is scorched or burned, power isreduced by 5-10% and the test is repeated.

7. A group of bottles is run under sealing head 10 to verify sealquality remains the same in each bottle. If not, step six (6) isrepeated.

The steps in Table 1 can be carried out to determine the quality of aseal.

TABLE 1 DESCRIPTION YES NO 1 Was the seal completely cool Go to two (2)Let the cap cool before removing the cap? for two (2) minutes beforeremoving the cap 2 Foil liner melts bottle top? Reduce power Go to three(3) level 3 Was there any burning or Reduce power Go to four (4)scorching of the cap? level 4 Did the wax release from the Go to five(5) Increase power foil liner and pulp board? level 5 Did the liner sealcompletely Go to six (6) Increase power around the opening? level 6 Doesthe seal leak? Increase power Go to seven (7) level 7 Drop the bottle orstep on an Increase power Go to eight (8) empty bottle with the cap offlevel. (plastic bottles only). Does the seal come off the bottle? 8 Doesthe seal release easily Power level set Reduce power (for peel offseals)? correctly. slightly 9 For security liners, is a foil Power levelset Increase power ring left on the bottle? correctly level

The high threshold temperature value and the low threshold temperaturevalue can be obtained, for example, as follows:

1. The settings for achieving a good seal is determined.

2. Several containers are run past temperature sensor 32 and thetemperature is recorded.

3. The power level is lowered to obtain the minimum power for a goodseal.

4. Several containers are run past temperature sensor 32 and thetemperature is recorded.

5. The power level is raised to obtain the maximum power for a good sealwithout burning.

6. Several bottles 16 are run past temperature sensor 32 and thetemperature is recorded.

7. Optionally, for a safety factor a few degrees are added to the lowestthreshold temperature value.

8. Optionally, for a safety factor a few degrees are subtracted from thehighest temperature.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention factors such as thetype of bottle used, the conveyor speed, the low and high thresholdtemperature values, and other relevant factors may be stored as a“recipe” in a memory location and retrieved when desired. Preferably,information such as the conveyor speed, the low and high thresholdtemperatures and other information relevant to obtaining a proper sealas obtained experimentally can be stored as a “recipe” in an electroniclocation for more than one bottle type so that a cap sealer according tothe present invention can be ready to seal a number of bottle typeswithout the necessity of the re-entry of the required information. Thus,for example, when the bottle type is changed, the information relatingto that bottle type is retrieved from the memory location and used forsealing.

In the present application a number of references have been made toelectronic storage facilities for the storage of data, such as, forexample, the low and the high threshold temperatures. One skilled in theart would recognize that any known electronic storage devices can beused to in an apparatus according to the present invention. Thus, forexample, information storage can occur in a flash memory (erasablememory) which can be part of a microprocessor, or it can be stored inthe non-volatile (battery-backed) RAM of, for example, a time keepingchip. Flash allows storage for forty years without having to worry aboutbatteries, and thus is suitable for information that should not be lost(e.g. total hours of machine use, not desirable to lose this time ifbattery is changed; or recipes settings (e.g. temperature settings)which are not desired to be redone). Other less important informationmay be kept in, for example, the time keeping chip. To ensure that suchinformation is not lost, a capacitor may be used with stored power toquickly transfer information to the flash memory when the apparatus ispowered down in order to avoid losing the data.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited toinduction foil cap sealing, but may be applicable to any manufacturingapplication in which temperature sensing may be considered an importantquality assurance factor. For example, the concepts disclosed herein maybe applicable to bottle molding, or candy making.

Although the present invention has been described in relation toparticular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modificationsand other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It ispreferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by thespecific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.

1. A process for sealing a container comprising: providing a container;providing a foil at a region on said container to be sealed; heatingsaid foil; acquiring temperature of said region on said container afterheating; and comparing said temperature to a threshold temperature valueto determine whether said container has been sealed.
 2. A processaccording to claim 1, wherein said temperature is acquired by aninfrared detector.
 3. A process according to claim 1, wherein said foilis metallic and said container is comprised of a plastic.
 4. A processaccording to claim 1, wherein said threshold temperature is a minimumtemperature indicative of improper sealing.
 5. A process according toclaim 1, wherein said threshold temperature is a maximum temperatureindicative of improper sealing.
 6. A process according to claim 1,further comprising electronically storing a threshold temperature valuein an electronic storage facility, and obtaining said thresholdtemperature value before said comparing.
 7. A process according to claim6, further comprising experimentally determining said thresholdtemperature value before said storing.
 8. A process according to claim1, further comprising electronically storing a threshold temperaturevalue in an electronic storage facility for a number of differentcontainers.
 9. A process for quality assurance comprising: applying heatto a work piece; acquiring a temperature of said work piece afterheating; and comparing said acquired temperature to a thresholdtemperature value to determine whether said temperature is within arange of temperature values.
 10. A process according to claim 9, whereinsaid temperature is acquired by an infrared detector.
 11. A processaccording to claim 9, wherein said threshold temperature is a minimumtemperature value.
 12. A process according to claim 9, wherein saidthreshold temperature is a maximum temperature.
 13. A process accordingto claim 9, further comprising electronically storing a thresholdtemperature value in an electronic storage facility, and obtaining saidthreshold temperature value before said comparing.
 14. A processaccording to claim 13, further comprising experimentally determiningsaid threshold temperature value before said storing.